UW News

October 7, 2015

Public notice: Determination of significance and request for comments on scope of Environmental Impact Statement (Campus Master Plan update)

 

Project Name: University of Washington Seattle Campus Master Plan Update

Proponent: University of Washington

Description of Proposal: The University of Washington Seattle Campus Master Plan Update will guide development on the Seattle Campus, building on and updating the 2003 Campus Master Plan and extending the continuity of planning developed over the last century. The Campus Master Plan will include guidelines and policies for new development on the campus. It will be formulated to maintain and enhance the fundamental mission of the University, its multiple important roles in undergraduate and professional education and its dedication to research and public service. Campus growth is needed to accommodate the projected growth in students, faculty, staff, and expanded research opportunities. The scope of the Campus Master Plan Update includes defining open spaces, circulation patterns. building sites and campus physical capacity along with planned growth. Both the City and the University recognize the need for coordinated development and conservation planning that allows the University to continue to pursue its instruction, research and service goals. At the same time, the planning process including the EIS process, is intended to foresee, assess, and outline mitigation measures for the direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of development. The anticipated outcome of the planning process is to maximize the positive impacts and minimize adverse impacts upon the City, communities surrounding the University and promotes the health and vitality of the residential, business and academic communities.

Location: The University of Washington Major Institution Overlay Zone is generally bounded by NE 45th Street on the north, Mary
Gates Memorial Way NE and the Center for Urban Horticulture on the east. Union Bay, Portage Bay and the Lake Washington Ship Canal on the south, and 15th Avenue NE, Roosevelt Way NE and the Ship Canal Bridge on the west.

Lead Agency: University of Washington

EIS Required: The Lead Agency has determined that this proposal has the potential to have a significant adverse impact on the environment. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared pursuant to Chapter RCW43.21C.030.

Scoping: Agencies. affected tribes and members of the public are invited to comment on the scope of the EIS. You may comment on alternatives, mitigation measures, probable significant adverse impacts. and licenses or other approvals that maybe required. Please provide written comments to the contact person by the date specified.

The Lead Agency has identified the following areas for discussion in the EIS: all elements of the natural and built environment identified in WAC 197-11-444 including earth, water, plants and animals, air quality and greenhouse gases, energy and natural resources, environmental health, land and shoreline use, population, housing, aesthetics, recreation, historic/cultural, public services/utilities and transportation. Potential alternatives for the University of Washington Seattle Campus Master Plan Update include: Alternative I — Campus Development with West and South Campus focus; Alternative 2 — Campus Development distributed throughout the campus; Alternative 3 No street and alley vacations, and Alternative 4 – No Action.

Comment Deadline: October 26, 2015

Public Hearing: Comments taken at two public meetings: October 14, 2015 at the University Temple Church 1415 NE 43rd Street, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm and October 15, 2015 at the University of Washington Campus Husky Union Building (HUB) room 340, from 1:00pm to 2:00 pm.

If you cannot attend a public meeting to make your comments, you can email them to cmpinfo@uw.edu or jarntz@uw.edu or mail them to the address below, by the comment deadline.

SEPA Responsible Official and Contact Person: Jan Arntz

Send comments in writing or by email to:
Jan Arntz
Responsible Official
Environmental/Land Use Compliance Officer
Capital Projects Office
Box 352205
Seattle, WA 98195
(206) 543-5200